Friday, July 7, 2017

Why do Argentinians love invading your personal space?

Getting up close and personal with strangers in Argentina isn’t difficult. In fact, finding yourself at a rather intimate distance from Argentines is hard to avoid. You’ll inevitably end up pressed against someone’s armpit in a lift, or uncomfortably close to other passengers on the metro in Buenos Aires. Punters at the market physically jostle for attention rather than form any kind of orderly queue.

And it’s not just strangers. Argentines meet their friends, family and even new acquaintances with a hug and a kiss; anything else is considered rude. Even doctors greet their patients with a warm embrace.

Now Argentina’s disregard for personal space is backed up by science. A recent study has revealed Argentina as the country where people require the least amount of personal space. Researchers surveyed 9,000 people across 42 countries, and concluded that Argentines in general stand 2.5 feet away from strangers – much less than any other country. (Romanians require the most personal space).